Multipurpose egm/player tracking device and system

ABSTRACT

A system for providing gaming related services is described herein. The system includes a plurality of gaming devices and a plurality of multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices. Each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device of the plurality of multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices is coupled to a corresponding gaming device for providing gaming related services to the corresponding gaming device. Each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device is adapted to communicate with the corresponding gaming device using a plurality of EGM communications protocols.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATION APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/804,494, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/235,237, filed on Sep. 22, 2008 (now U.S. Pat.No. 8,429,229, issued Apr. 23, 2013), which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/973,890, filed Sep. 20, 2007,the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic gaming machines(EGMs), and more particularly, to a multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice and system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The growth and competition in the casino gaming market in recent yearsand the increasingly sophisticated and complex technology beingintegrated into the gaming environment, at the individual game, casinomanagement, and auditing levels, presents both challenges andopportunities to game manufacturers, gaming establishment operators, andregulatory agencies. The technological capabilities and requirements of,for example, advanced electronic games, multi-site gaming operations,detailed player tracking, wide area progressive jackpots, and variousalternatives to the use of currency and coins by players, all present apotentially huge pool of ever-changing data which can be of great valueto casino operators (from a management standpoint) and to regulatorsfrom an audit/compliance standpoint.

In recent years, the popularity of video EGMs such as video and videopoker EGMs has increased dramatically. Such EGMs are provided by anumber of manufacturers. The growth of these types of EGMs has presentednumerous opportunities to provide new and automatic services in thevarious areas, such as, EGM accounting, EGM monitoring, EGM progressivesawards/jackpots, EGM ticketing, player tracking, player bonusing havebeen realized. Such services generally require information, e.g., meterinformation, taken directly from the electronic EGMs. This informationis usually gathered and/or relayed to central/remote locations throughspecialized/add-on devices. These devices must communicate to the EGMusing a communications protocol over a communications link which istypically dictated by the type and/or manufacturer of the EGM. It shouldalso be noted that the communications link and/or architecture used forall EGMs at a particular site, e.g., is not necessarily the same.

One common communication protocol used to communication with electronicEGMs is the Slot Account System or (SAS) protocol. With particularreference to FIG. 3, a typical SAS implementation is shown. In thisillustration, the EGMs 302, 304 are provided with corresponding slotmachine interface board (SMIB) devices 306, 307 and player trackingdevices 308, 309. The SMIB devices 306, 307 are physically connected to,and located within, the respective EGMs 302, 304. The player trackingdevices 308, 309 are connected and communicate to the SMIBs 306,307through either RS-232 or USB 312.

EGM accounting and monitoring data is exchanged to and from each EGM302, 304 via the SAS protocol over respective communication links 310 tothe SMIBs 306, 307 which is then communicated through RS-232 or Ethernetover respective communication links 318 to the Bank Controller 314 whichcommunicates to the EGM Accounting & Monitoring server(s) 316.

Player tracking data is exchanged to and from the SMIBs 306, 307 thencommunicated over RS-232 or Ethernet over respective communicationslinks 318 to the Bank Controller 314 which communicates to the playertracking server(s) 320.

Generally, these types of SMIBs are data pass-through or polled devicesand contain little intelligence. In other words, the devices 306, 307simply pass data back and forth between the EGMs 302, 304 and a bankcontroller 314 over respective second communication links 312, 318 usingthe SAS protocol. In most cases, the bank controller 314 contains themajority of the gaming logic and simply polls the SMIBs 306, 307 fordata. The second communication links 318 may be implemented over anRS-232 or Ethernet. The bank controller 314 then relays the data back tothe EGM Accounting and Monitoring server(s) 316. The player trackingdevices 308, 309 interfaces with the SMIB and Player tracking server(s)320 for player tracking related data and simply passes EGM specific databack and forth between the SMIBs 306, 307 through communication link 310and player tracking specific data back and forth between the playertracking server(s) 320 by way of the bank controller 314.

Typically, a casino includes numerous EGMs arranged in banks. Each bankof machines has a corresponding bank controller 314 which is locatedremotely. One problem with this type of arrangement is that all of theEGMs 302, 304 which are connected to one bank controller 314 must usethe same communications protocol. This, for example, all EGMs 302, 304connected to the bank control 314 must utilize the SAS protocol.

The trend in gaming is to require more and more EGM and player trackingdata to and from the EGMs 302, 304 and/or the SMIB devices 306, 307 andplayer tracking devices, 308 and 309. For example, one trend if thegaming industry is to move towards downloadable games, i.e., gamesoftware, including new games, updates, etc. . . . , which is downloadedfrom a central server to the EGMs. Another trend is to provide liveand/or streaming video or other multimedia content either directly tothe EGMs or the player tracking device.

Historically utilized communication protocols, e.g., SAS, X-Series, andQCOM were not designed to handle this type or volume of data such asdownloading a new game to the EGM. The Gaming Standards Association hasrecently released a new standardized communications protocol, theGame-to-System or G2S standard, which was designed to provide a standardcommunications protocol which can handle the amount and type of datarequired by these new applications or services. The G2S operates over anEthernet communications link using the TCP/IP protocol. However, the G2Sprotocol requires data to be transmitted in an XML format.

One potential hardware architecture to implement the G2S standard isshown in FIG. 4. This architecture shows that the SMIB device 307 fromFIG. 3 are removed and the EGMs 304 communications is protocol 310 isreplaced with Ethernet 311. Services provided using G2S are administeredusing G2S servers 322. The G2S server(s) 322 communicate to the playertracking server(s) 320 through the GSA System to System (S2S) protocolto each G2S player tracking device 308 through a data link over anEthernet network 313. For player tracking services, a separate Ethernetlinks between the player tracking server(s) 320 and each G2S playertracking device 308. The G2S servers 322 and the player trackingserver(s) 320 are also located at a remote location. Thus, separateEthernet links must be provided to each G2S EGM 304 (and/or G2S playertracking devices 308). As each implementation, e.g., casino, can includethousands of EGMs, the amount of connections and network cabling usingsuch architecture is immense and costly not to mention the complexity ofnetwork administration. Another problem is that most implementations,e.g., casinos, will for the foreseeable future be a hybrid of SAS andG2S EGMs and must accommodate both SAS protocol EGMs as illustrated inFIG. 4. There are significant complexities involved in support both SASand G2S architectures simultaneously.

Another problem is that the G2S protocol, in using an XML format is notan efficient way to communicate large amounts of response sensitive datain real-time. One potential problem is that even high speed Ethernetnetworks may not be able to support the bandwidth required in providingsuch services using the G2S protocol to G2S EGMs 304.

Another problem is that in the systems shown in FIG. 3 (and systemsusing similar architectures), in order to move a EGM (or other EGM) fromone location, e.g., from one bank of machines to another bank of EGMs,both the old bank controller, i.e., corresponding to the bank ofmachines to which the machine being moved used to belong, and the newbank controller, i.e., corresponding to the bank of EGMs to which theEGM is being moved, must be reprogrammed to, respectively, remove theEGM from the old bank of EGMs and to identify the EGM in the new bank.

The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems as setforth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

A system is provided gaming related services to electronic gamingmachines (EGMs) through a multipurpose EGM/player tracking device.

In a first aspect of the present invention, multiple multipurpose EGMaccounting, monitoring, player tracking devices may be connected to asingle server or computer. The multiple EGM/player tracking devices maycommunicate to various game machines using different communicationprotocols, such as, SAS, G2S, X-Series, QCOM, GMMS and other EGMspecific protocols.

In a second aspect of the present invention, multiple multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices may communicate to an associated EGM usingthe G2S protocol and may communicate to a remote computer or serverusing another communications protocol.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the system may communicateto EGMs using the G2S protocol and may communication to the remotecomputer or server over an Ethernet communications link in anothercommunications protocol, i.e., not G2S. The data communicated to theremote computer or server may include data related to gaming services,including video, streaming video or other multimedia content.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a system for providinggaming related services to a first EGM and to a second EGM. The systemincludes first and second multipurpose EGM/player tracking device and aserver computer. The first multipurpose EGM/player tracking device isassociated with the first EGM. The first multipurpose EGM/playertracking device has a first port and a second port. The first port ofthe first multipurpose EGM/player tracking device couples the firstmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device to the first EGM using a firstcommunications protocol over a first communications link. The secondmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device is associated with the secondEGM. The second multipurpose EGM/player tracking device has a first portand a second port. The first port of the second multipurpose EGM/playertracking device couples the second multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice to the second EGM using a second communications protocol over asecond communications link. The first and second communication protocolsare different. The server computer is coupled to the first and secondmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device using a system communicationsprotocol through first and second system communications links,respectively. The server computer provides gaming services to users ofthe first and second EGMs through the first and second multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices, respectively.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a system for providinggaming related services to a first EGM and to a second EGM is provided(refer to FIG. 7). The system includes first and second multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices, first and second middleware servers, and amultipurpose EGM/player tracking services database server. The firstmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device is associated with the firstEGM. The first multipurpose EGM/player tracking device has a first portand a second port. The first port of the first multipurpose EGM/playertracking device couples the first multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice to the first EGM using a first communications protocol over afirst communications link. The first middleware server computer iscoupled to the first multipurpose EGM/player tracking device using asystem communications protocol through a first system communicationslink. The second multipurpose EGM/player tracking device is associatedwith the second EGM. The second multipurpose EGM/player tracking devicehas a first port and a second port. The first port of the secondmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device couples the second multipurposeEGM/player tracking device to the second EGM using a secondcommunications protocol over a second communications link. The first andsecond communication protocols are different. The second middlewareserver computer is coupled to the second multipurpose EGM/playertracking device using a system communications protocol through a secondsystem communications link. The multipurpose EGM/player trackingservices database server computer is connected to the first and secondmiddleware server computers. The multipurpose EGM/Player trackingservices database server computer provides gaming services to users ofthe first and second EGMs through the first and second multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices, respectively.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a method provides gamingrelated services to a first EGM and to a second EGM. The method includesthe step of providing a first multipurpose EGM/player tracking deviceassociated with the first EGM. The first multipurpose EGM/playertracking device having a first port and a second port. The first port ofthe first multipurpose EGM/player tracking device couples the firstmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device to the first EGM using a firstcommunications protocol over a first communications link. The firstmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device has an associated IP address.The method includes the step of providing a first middleware servercomputer coupled to the first multipurpose EGM/player tracking deviceusing a system communications protocol through a first systemcommunications link and providing a second multipurpose EGM/playertracking device associated with the second EGM. The second multipurposeEGM/player tracking device has a first port and a second port. The firstport of the second multipurpose EGM/player tracking device couples thesecond multipurpose EGM/player tracking device to the second EGM using asecond communications protocol over a second communications link. Thefirst and second communication protocols are different. The secondmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device has a second associated IPaddress. The method also includes the steps of providing a secondmiddleware server computer coupled to the second multipurpose EGM/playertracking device using a system communications protocol through a secondsystem communications link and providing a multipurpose EGM/playertracking services database server computer connected to the first andsecond middleware server computers. The multipurpose EGM/player trackingservices database server computer provides gaming services to users ofthe first and second EGMs through the first and second advanced gamingdevices, respectively. The method further includes the steps ofproviding a first table in the multipurpose EGM/player tracking servicesdatabase server computer for storing the first IP address indicating thefirst multipurpose EGM/player tracking device is connected to the firstmiddleware server and providing a second table in the multipurposeEGM/player tracking services database server computer for storing thesecond IP address indicating the second multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice is connected to the second middleware server. The method furtherincludes the steps of allowing the first EGM and the first multipurposeEGM/player tracking device to be disconnected from the first middlewareserver and to be connect to the second middleware server and allowingthe first IP address to be deleted from the first table and stored inthe second table.

In one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. The systemincludes a plurality of gaming devices and a plurality of multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices. Each multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice of the plurality of multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices iscoupled to a corresponding gaming device for providing gaming relatedservices to the corresponding gaming device. Each multipurposeEGM/player tracking device is adapted to communicate with thecorresponding gaming device using a plurality of EGM communicationsprotocols.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. Thesystem includes a plurality of gaming devices, a server computer forproviding gaming related services to each one of the plurality of gamingdevice, and a plurality of multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices thatare coupled to the server computer. Each of the plurality ofmultipurpose EGM/player tracking devices is coupled to a correspondinggaming device for providing the gaming related services to thecorresponding gaming device. Each multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice is adapted to communicate with the corresponding gaming deviceusing a plurality of EGM communications protocols.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of providinggaming services is provided. The method includes providing a pluralityof gaming devices and providing a plurality of multipurpose EGM/playertracking devices. Each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device iscoupled to a corresponding gaming device for providing gaming relatedservices to the corresponding gaming device. Each multipurposeEGM/player tracking device is adapted to communicate with thecorresponding gaming device using a plurality of EGM communicationsprotocols The method also includes determining, by a correspondingmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device, an EGM communications protocolassociated with the gaming device and transmitting data indicative ofthe gaming related services from the corresponding multipurposeEGM/player tracking device to the gaming device using the determined EGMcommunications protocol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is block diagram of a system for providing credit to a player ofa EGM, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a EGM and multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice for use with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a prior art system architecture;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary system architecture whichutilizes both the SAS and the G2S protocol;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system architecture which utilizes bothSAS and G2S protocols in conjunction with the multipurpose EGM/playertracking device and system, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are block diagrams of the multipurpose EGM/playertracking device for use with the system architecture of FIG. 5,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a system for providing gamingand player tracking services to users of EGMs, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a mother-board of the multipurposeEGM/player tracking device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a board layout view of a daughter board of an multipurposeEGM/player tracking device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the daughter board of FIG. 9; and,

FIG. 11 is an assembly view of the multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION General System Architecture andOperation

With reference to the drawings and in operation (FIG. 1), the presentinvention provides a system 10 and method for EGM 12 accounting,monitoring, providing other gaming related services, such as, ticking,progressives, gaming attending EGM interaction services; and providingplayer 24 of an EGM 12 player services, such as, player tracking, pointsmanagement, Bonusing, multimedia content and entertainment services.

In one embodiment, the system 10 may be embodied or implemented via anentertaining management and monitoring system which is shown in blockdiagram form in FIG. 1. The entertainment and monitoring system mayinclude many additional functions such as, real-time multi-site, EGMaccounting, EGM monitoring, player tracking, cage credit and vault,sports book, Point of Sale (POS) accounting, keno accounting, bingoaccounting, and table game accounting, a wide area progressive jackpot,and electronic funds transfer (EFT), as well as interfaces to othergaming and non-gaming systems. Two such systems are disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/094,605, filed Mar. 30, 2005, which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The entertainment and monitoring system may also track data related tothe play of the EGMs 12.

As shown, the system 10 includes a plurality of EGMs 12. Machines 12 mayinclude, but are not limited to EGMs, electronic gaming machines (suchas video slot, video poker machines, or video arcade games),multi-terminal electronic gaming machines, server-based gaming machines,virtual EGMs, e.g., for online gaming, and an interface to a tablemanagement system (not shown) for table games, or other suitable devicesat which a user may interact or access a user or player account. In theillustrated embodiment, eight electronic game machines (EGMs) 12A-12Hare shown. However, it should be noted that the present invention is notlimited to any number or type of machines 12. In one embodiment, themachines 12 are organized into banks (not shown), each bank containing aplurality of machines 12.

Other types of machines which may be included, such as kiosks 25, pointof sale or redemption terminals 23, are indicated with reference number12I.

The EGMs 12 are connected via a network 16 to one or more host computers18, which are generally located at a remote or central location. Thecomputer 18 includes computer program application(s) 20 which maintainsone or more databases 22. In one embodiment, the database(s) are Oracledatabase(s).

The computer program application(s) 20 and databases 22 may be used torecord, track, and report accounting and monitoring informationregarding the EGMs 12 and players and/or gaming attendantinteraction—user(s) 24 of the EGMs 12. Additionally, the computerprogram application(s) 20 and databases 22 may be used to maintaininformation related to player or player tracking accounts (see below).

In general, the machines 12 may be used by a user or player, i.e., toaccess their player account or services through the multipurposeEGM/player tracking device 15. Examples of player servers consists ofbut is not limited to accessing and performing operations on (1) pointand complementary point balances, (2) accessing and performingoperations on awards such as, bonuses, incentives, progressives etc.,(3) accessing and performing operations on saved player preferences andaccount information such as, PIN, default language, show/hide points,and other player and Bonusing features, For example, an EGM 12C isplayable by a player 24. The player 24 may select one of the EGMs 12C toplay and insert a coin, credit, coupon, and/or player tracking card (notshown) into the chosen EGM 12C. Generally, the EGMs 12C have anassociated number of credits or coins required in order to play. In thecase of video slot or poker games, the game is played and an award orBonus in the form of credits or other complementary may be awardedthrough the multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 15 to the EGM 12. Inthe case where the user 24 is a gaming attendant, the gaming attendantmay interact with the multipurpose EGM/player tracking device to accessEGM 12 services, such as, perform a fill, acknowledge a jackpot, link orassociate a particular multipurpose EGM/player tracking device to EGM12, interrogates EGM 12 meters, bill insertions and other access orperform other EGM specific gaming services.

It is important to note that the player 24 or user may utilize the userinterface on the EGM/player tracking device 15 to access the EGM 12and/or the servers 114, 118 in performing various gaming services. Inother words, the user interface on the EGM/player tracking device 15allows the player or the user to access data, information, or servicesavailable either on one of the EGM's 12 or one of the servers 114, 118.

With reference to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a suitable electronicgaming machine 12C and the associated multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice is shown. The communication between the EGM and the EGM/playertracking device 8 may be one of RS232, RS485, Current Loop, Fiber, USB,Ethernet or any other low level communication link.

The EGM 12C comprises a game controller 26, or central processing unit(CPU), a coin-bill management device 28, a display processor 30, a RAM32 as a memory device and a ROM 34 (generally provided as an EPROM). TheCPU 26 is mainly composed of a microprocessor unit and performs variouscalculations and motion control necessary for the progress of the game.The coin-bill management device 28 detects the insertion of a coin or abill and performs a necessary process for managing the coin and thebill. The display processor 30 interprets commands issued from the CPU26 and displays desirable images on a display 36. The RAM 32 temporarilystores programs and data necessary for the progress of the game, and theROM 34 stores, in advance, programs and data for controlling basicoperation of the EGM 12C, such as the booting operation thereof, gamecode and graphics.

Input to the EGM 12C may be accomplished via mechanical switches orbuttons or via a touchscreen interface (not shown). Such EGMs 12 arewell known in the art and are therefore not further discussed.

The player or gaming attendant user 24 is identified via a playertracking card and/or any other method of identifying the player orgaming attendant, such as, finger print, optical recognition, etc., intomultipurpose EGM/player tracking device 38 at each EGM 12 (see below).Player tracking accounts may be used, generally, to provide bonuses to aplayer, in addition to the award designated by, in the case of a videoslot or poker machine, the EGM's 12 paytable. These bonuses may beawarded to the player 24 based a set of criteria, including, but notlimited to, a) the player's play on the EGM 12C, b) the player's overallplay, c) play during a predetermined period of time, and d) the player'sbirthday or anniversary, or e) any other definable criteria.Additionally, bonuses may be awarded on a random basis, i.e., to arandomly chosen player or randomly chosen game 12. Bonuses may also beawarded in a discretionary manner or based on other criteria, such as,purchases made at a gift shop or other affiliated location.Additionally, bonus may be award to the player 24 from any other gamingor non-gaming source, such as, Point of Service (POS), PropertyManagement Systems (PMS), Kiosks, or any other interfaced externalsystem.

In one embodiment, the player tracking device 38 includes a processor40, a player identification card reader 42 and/or a numeric keypad (notshow), a display 44, a sound project device 46 and other EGM monitoringand player/gaming attendant tracking interfaces 48. In one embodiment,the display 46 is a touchscreen panel and the numeric keypad (not show)is implemented thereon.

The player 24 may be identified by entry of a player tracking card intothe player identification card reader 42 and/or entry of a playeridentification number (PIN) on the numeric key pad or touch screen paneldisplay 46 or any other method of identifying the player or gamingattendant, such as, finger print, optical recognition, etc. The playtracking device 38 may also be used to communicate information betweenthe computer 18 (FIG. 1) and the corresponding EGM 12C. The multipurposeEGM/player tracking device 38 may also be used to track bonus points,i.e., incentive points or credits, downloaded from the computer 18 (FIG.1).

System Architecture to Incorporate High Data Volume System Services

With reference to FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, the present invention provides asystem architecture 102 which is capable of handling the large databandwidth required by evolving system services. For example, the systemarchitecture 102 may communicate with game machines 104A-104 n throughany legacy communications protocol, e.g., SAS, or superSAS, X-Series,QCOM, GMMS, as well as higher bandwidth protocols, such as G2S.

In the illustrated embodiment, each game machine 104A, 104 n has anassociated multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106A, 106 n. Asdiscussed above, multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106A, 106 n mayincludes a processor 40, a display 44 and may include an ID card reader42 and/or numeric keypad (which may be implemented via a physical keypador touchscreen buttons implemented on the display 44), a sound projectdevice 46 and other EGM monitoring and player tracking interfaces 48. Itshould be noted that ID card reader 42, display 44, and numeric keypadare used to implement a user interface which is used to communicate dataand receive inputs from users (generally, casino employees) or patronsor players. However, other types of user interfaces may be incorporatedinto the system architecture 102 without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

Returning to FIGS. 5 and 6, each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device106A, 106B includes a first port 108 and a second port 110. The firstport 108 is used to communicate with the corresponding game machine104A, 104 n over a communications link 112 (see below). The second port110 is used to communicate with a middleware server 114 over a secondcommunications link 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondcommunications link 116 is an Ethernet link. Data is communicated overthe second communications link 116 in data packets in a systemcommunications protocol. Data over the system communications protocol ismuch more condensed than in the XML format of G2S. Thus, data, includinggame software in downloadable gaming systems, meter information,accounting information, progressive information, video, and the like,may all be communicated over the Ethernet connections between themiddleware server 114 to the game machines 104A, 104 n through themultipurpose EGM/player tracking devices 106A, 106 n. Thus, only one setof wires or cables, e.g., an Ethernet cable, need to be provided betweeneach multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106A, 106 n.

Typically, the system architecture 102 will include a plurality ofmiddleware servers 114, each having an associated plurality of gamemachines 104A, 104 n. The middleware servers 114 act as go-betweenbetween the associated game machines 104A, 104 n and multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices 106A, 106 n and one or more multipurposeEGM/player tracking services database servers 118 which are used toprovide game services, e.g., progressive awards, player trackingservices, accounting services, and the like.

The communications protocol used by each game machine 104A, 104 n, maybe different even among game machines 104A, 104 n associated with thesame middleware server 114.

For example, if one of the game machines 104A communicates using the SASprotocol, then the associated data link 112 is an RS-232 link and theassociated multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106A communicateswith the game machines 104A using the SAS protocol over the RS-232 link.Further, if another of the game machines 104 n is a G2S device, i.e.,communicates using the G2S protocol, then the associated data link 112is an Ethernet link and the associated player tracking device 106 ncommunicates with the associated game machine 104 n over the Ethernetlink 112 using the G2S protocol.

It should also be noted that even if the another game machine 104 n is aG2S machine and it communicates to the associated multipurposeEGM/player tracking device 106 n, the G2S protocol is not used tocommunicate to the middleware server 114. As discussed above, data iscommunicated to the middleware server over an Ethernet link in datapackets in a much more condensed format.

Thus, the present invention provides a system architecture which is moreflexible, e.g., EGMs which require communication using differentcommunication protocols, e.g., SAS and/or G2S may be mixed and match inthe same area or bank and associated with the same middleware.Furthermore, the present invention, provides a system architecture whichmay communicate with game machines which require use of a communicationprotocol which requires a high bandwidth, e.g., the G2S protocol withoutrequire multiple communication links from the EGMs and/or associateddevice back to a computer or server at a remote location.

With specific reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an exemplary embodiment of amultipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106, according to one embodimentis shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the multipurpose EGM/playertracking device 106 includes two pc boards, a motherboard 120 and adaughterboard 122. In one aspect, the motherboard 120 is a standard,off-the shelf component, such as an Intel or AMD processor based smallform factor (SFF) motherboard with a standard ETX socket 122. Themotherboard 120 may run on a standard operating system, such asMicrosoft Windows, Vista, Linux/BSD or Unix. The daughterboard 122connects to the motherboard 120 via the ETX socket 122.

In one embodiment, the daughterboard 124 is a specially designedcomponent and includes the second port 110. The second port 110 isgenerally an Ethernet port and is used to connect the multipurposeEGM/player tracking device 106 to a computer or server, e.g., themiddleware server 114.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the first port 108 is providedon the motherboard 108. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, thefirst port 108 is provided on the daughterboard 108. The first port 108is used to connect the multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106 tothe associated game machine 104A, 104 n. In one embodiment, the is adual-purpose port, which may for example by used to implement twodifferent communication links, e.g., RS-232 and a current loopcommunications link.

In one embodiment, the multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106 maycommunicate with the game machine 104 using any communications protocol.Thus, the daughterboard 124 includes the circuitry to implement multiplecommunications links, including for example, RS-232, RS-485, Ethernet,current loops, fiber optics, USB etc. . . . Each daughterboard 124includes a location where the appropriate type of port may be physicallyaffixed to the board. Through software and with the appropriate softwaredriver, the multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106 detects theappropriate communications protocol to communicate with theattached/associated game machine 104A, 104 n.

In another aspect of the present invention, data is communicated betweenthe middleware server 114 and the multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevices 106A, 106 n and/or game machines 104A, 104 n using the TCP/IPprotocol. Thus, each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106A, 106 nhas an Internet Protocol (IP) address. If a game machine 104A, 104 n andthe associated multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106A, 106 n aremoved from one location to another, and thus, must be connected to adifferent middleware server 114, the IP address of the moved EGM mustonly be moved within the multipurpose EGM/player tracking servicesdatabase server 118, accomplished automatically or by a database recordchange.

In one aspect of the present invention, the motherboard 120 drives thedisplay 44 through an appropriate port (not shown), such as a VGA port.Additionally, another port, e.g., another VGA port 126 may also beprovided by the multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106A, 106 n, todrive an additional display (not shown). The additional display may beon the EGM 104A, 104 n, or external to the EGM or an external display.The additional display may be used, e.g., to show or play data, e.g.,(without limitation) graphics, video, animations, pictures, sound, etc.. . . , which may be related to a particular EGM 104A, 104 n, related toa bank or group of EGMs (such as for a Progressive Game), or for anotherpurpose. The additional display may be a large display, e.g., a plasmaor LCD display which is located a distance away from the EGMs 104A, 104n. The additional VGA port may be provide on the motherboard, thedaughterboard or other circuit board.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, a functional block diagram of anexemplary system 10 is shown. Each multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice (or NAMB2) 106, performs but is not limited to the followingfunctions: (1) receives communications from the respective electronicgaming device or machine (EGM) 12, (2) sends communications to arespective middleware server 114, (3) receives communications from therespective middleware server 114, and (4) sends communications to therespective electronic EGM 12.

Each middleware server 114 performs but is not limited to the followingfunctions: (1) communicates with the multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevices 106, and (2) communicates with the multipurpose EGM/playertracking services database server 118, which in the illustratedembodiment is an Oracle multipurpose EGM/player tracking servicesdatabase server.

The system 10 may include multiple multipurpose EGM/player trackingservices database server 118 for performing various functions. Forexample, one multipurpose EGM/player tracking services database server118 may perform accounting functions, e.g., storing every transactionbetween a user or player and the gaming devices or machines 12. Inaddition, the multipurpose EGM/player tracking services database servers118 performs but is not limited to the following functions: (1) receivescommunications from the middleware servers 118, (2) sends communicationsto the middleware servers 118, and (3) sends and receives communicationsto and from workstations 27 and kiosks 25.

In the illustrated embodiment, a NAMB2 server 130 may also be provided.The NAMB2 server 130 may be used to download software executables toeach multipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106 and uses a checksumprocess (e.g., MD5SUM signature) to verify the software. The NAMB2server 130 may also provide entertainment audio or video streams to eachmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device 106 over the communications link116 as well as other player and gaming attendant services such as,remote help, Internet access, and non-gaming revenue services such as,reservations, valet, shopping, and others.

In one embodiment, the motherboard 120 is an ETX module having an ETXtype connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the motherboard 120 hasthe following specifications:

Main processor: Intel Celeron M Processor ULV (600 MHz or 1.0 Ghz)

Chipset: Intel 82855GME/82801DB, 400 MHz, Integrated Graphics

Main Memory: 256MB DDR266-SDRAM

Non-Volatile Memory: 256KB SRAM

LAN: 10/100 Based Ethernet (for communication to servers 118, 130),optional 2^(nd) 10/100 Based Ethernet for G2S communication

Serial Port: RS232/Current-Loop/RS485/RS422 Level x1 (for SAScommunication), TTL Level x1 (for I/O Processor Communication)

Video: LVDS x1 (for 6/2″ Full-color LCF), Analog Video (VGA) x1 (foroptional use).

Audio: 250 mW (Max) Spearker Out x1 (monaural)

MIO: PS/2 Mouse x1 (for touch panel control), PS/2 keyboard x1 (fordebug)

Optional Interface: Mini-PCI x1, USB 2.0 x2, Primary IDE x1, I2C x1, I2Cx1, GPIO x6

The daughterboard 124 also includes a processor and, in the illustratedembodiment, has the following specifications:

I/O Process: Freescale MC9S12A64 25 MHz

Serial Port: TTL Level x1 (for Main Processor Communications), RS232Level x1 (for optional use)

Peripheral Interfaces: VFD, Keypad, Card Reader, Door Switch In x4, KeySwitch Out x2, Fan Monitor, Temperature Sensor

Optional Interface GPIO x11, GPO x4

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the daughterboard 124, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9 and 10 are top andbottom views of a board layout of the daughterboard.

The components are labeled as follows:

CN5: 12 VDC power input connector

CN6: I/O connector for EGM door detections and key switch controls

CN7: Player interface connector for card reader, VFD and keypad

CN8: Player interface connector for card reader, speaker, 6.2″full-color LCD and touch panel

CN9: RS232C SAS interface connector

CN10: Current loop SAS interface connector (CN16 is excluded, if CN10 ispopulated.)

CN11: 12 VDC/5 VDC power output connector

CN12: PS/2 keyboard connector

CN13: VGA connector

CN14: IDE connector (Option)

CN15: Secondary LAN connector (This connector is activated, if Mini-PCILAN controller is installed.)

CN16: RS485 SAS interface connector (CN10 is excluded, if CN16 ispopulated.)

CF1: Compact Flash socket

LAN1: Primary LAN connector

USB1: USB connector x2 (Option)

X1-X4: ETX module connectors

J1: JTAG connector for I/O processor

J2: I2C connector (Option)

U11/C115: SuperCapacitor or rechargeable battery

LED1-4: LED indicators

J5: JTAG connector for Altera CPLD

SW1: NVRAM clear switch

FAN1: Fan connector

U1: Mini-PCI card connector

IC8: I/O processor

IC14: Altera CPLD

IC17: SRAM or MRAM for NVRAM (IC18 is excluded, if IC17 is populated.)

IC18: FeRAM for NVRAM (IC17 is excluded, if IC18 is populated.)

With particular reference to FIG. 11, an assembly view of themultipurpose EGM/player tracking device 38, 106 according to anembodiment of the present invention is shown. The multipurposeEGM/player tracking device 38, 106 includes a housing base 140 and anaccess plate 144. Two cooling fans 152 are mounted to the house base140. The daughterboard 124 is mounted to the housing base 140 by postsand fasteners in a conventional manner. The motherboard 120 is connectedto the daughterboard 124 by the ETX connector and fastened into place. Amemory module 146 is inserted into a memory slot on the motherboard 120.An ETX heat sink with a fan 148 is coupled to the motherboard 120 in aconventional manner. A cover 150 is mounted to the housing base 140.

Generally, the system 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is a (casino) in-houseEGM/player tracking monitoring system which provides, inter alia, thefollowing gaming services: data gathering, report generating, playertracking, player promotion, and cashless gaming functions, such asticket-in ticket-out (TITO). All data collected from the EGMs or devices12 such as meters, security status, ticket transactions, and player &attendant interaction activities are transmitted via the TCP/IP to amiddleware server 114 and from there to a multipurpose EGM/playertracking services database server 118, where it is stored. Theinformation stored on the multipurpose EGM/player tracking servicesdatabase server 118 can be accessed via the front-end user interface ofa workstation 27 for payout verification, EGM monitoring andmaintenance, player tracking, reporting, accounting and marketing. Thesystem 10 may also be able to stream and/or download multimedia filesand videos from a true-time server, e.g., the NAMB 2 server 130 to theplayer tracking LCD display 44. The NAMB 2 server 130 may be used toverify and download the software which runs on the multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices 38,106.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the multipurpose EGM/playertracking device software is stored on board the multipurpose EGM/playertracking device 106 on a compact flash memory module. An auto-updatefeature for the software may be enabled or disabled. However, once thesoftware is updated, a checksum algorithm is run to ensure the validity,including the correct version, of the software. Additionally, thechecksum algorithm remains active for a set period of time, e.g., 30minutes, after successful download and re-run during or at the end ofthis period.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising a plurality of gamingdevices; and a plurality of multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices,each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device of the plurality ofmultipurpose EGM/player tracking devices coupled to a correspondinggaming device for providing gaming related services to the correspondinggaming device, each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device adapted tocommunicate with the corresponding gaming device using a plurality ofEGM communications protocols.
 2. A system in accordance with claim 1,wherein each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device includes aprocessor adapted to communicate with the corresponding gaming device,the processor for determining an EGM communications protocol associatedwith the corresponding gaming device and for transmitting dataindicative of the gaming related services to the corresponding gamingdevice using the determined EGM communications protocol.
 3. A system inaccordance with claim 1, further comprising: a first multipurposeEGM/player tracking device coupled to a first gaming device; and asecond multipurpose EGM/player tracking device coupled to a secondgaming device, the first multipurpose EGM/player tracking devicecommunicating with the first gaming device using a first EGMcommunications protocol, the second multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice communicating with the second gaming device using a second EGMcommunications protocol that is different than the first EGMcommunications protocol.
 4. A system in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe gaming related services includes at least one of EGM gamingservices, player services, and gaming attendant EGM interactionservices.
 5. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising aserver computer coupled to each of the plurality of multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices for providing the gaming related services toeach of the plurality of gaming devices.
 6. A system in accordance withclaim 5, wherein each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device is adaptedto communicate with the server computer using a system communicationsprotocol that is different from each of the plurality of EGMcommunications protocols.
 7. A system in accordance with claim 5, systemfurther comprises a plurality of middleware servers coupled to theserver computer, each of the plurality of middleware servers adapted tobe coupled to at least one of the plurality of multipurpose EGM/playertracking devices for providing gaming services from the server computerto the at least one of the plurality of multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevices.
 8. A system in accordance with claim 7, further comprising: afirst middleware server coupled to a first set of multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices; and a second middleware server coupled to asecond set of multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices that is differentthan the first set.
 9. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein eachof the multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices includes an associatedunique identifier, the server computer has a first table associated withthe first middleware server and a second table associated with thesecond middleware server, wherein the unique identifier of a firstmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device is stored within the firsttable, the server computer adapted to transfer the first multipurposeEGM/player tracking device unique identifier from the first table to thesecond table to enable the first multipurpose EGM/player tracking deviceand the corresponding gaming device to be disconnected from the firstmiddleware server and to be connected to the second middleware server.10. A system, comprising a plurality of gaming devices; a servercomputer for providing gaming related services to each one of theplurality of gaming device; and a plurality of multipurpose EGM/playertracking devices coupled to the server computer, each of the pluralityof multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices coupled to a correspondinggaming device for providing the gaming related services to thecorresponding gaming device, each multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice adapted to communicate with the corresponding gaming device usinga plurality of EGM communications protocols.
 11. A system in accordancewith claim 10, wherein each of the multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevices includes a processor adapted to communicate with thecorresponding gaming device, the processor for determining an EGMcommunications protocol associated with the corresponding gaming deviceand for transmitting data indicative of the gaming related services tothe corresponding gaming device using the determined EGM communicationsprotocol.
 12. A system in accordance with claim 10, further comprising:a first multipurpose EGM/player tracking device coupled to a firstgaming device; and a second multipurpose EGM/player tracking devicecoupled to a second gaming device, the first multipurpose EGM/playertracking device communicating with the first gaming device using a firstEGM communications protocol, the second multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice communicating with the second gaming device using a second EGMcommunications protocol that is different than the first EGMcommunications protocol.
 13. A system in accordance with claim 10,wherein each of the multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices is adaptedto communication with the server computer using a system communicationsprotocol that is different from the corresponding EGM communicationsprotocol.
 14. A system in accordance with claim 10, further comprising aplurality of middleware servers coupled to the server computer, each ofthe plurality of middleware servers being coupled to at least onemultipurpose EGM/player tracking device of the plurality of multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices for providing gaming services from theserver computer to the corresponding multipurpose EGM/player trackingdevice.
 15. A system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising: afirst middleware server coupled to a first set of multipurposeEGM/player tracking devices; and a second middleware server coupled to asecond set of multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices that is differentfrom the first set.
 16. A system in accordance with claim 15, whereineach of the multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices includes anassociated unique identifier, the server computer has a first tableassociated with the first middleware server and a second tableassociated with the second middleware server, wherein the uniqueidentifier of a first multipurpose EGM/player tracking device is storedwithin the first table, the server computer adapted to transfer thefirst multipurpose EGM/player tracking device unique identifier from thefirst table to the second table to enable the first multipurposeEGM/player tracking device and the corresponding gaming device to bedisconnected from the first middleware server and to be connected to thesecond middleware server.
 17. A method of providing gaming services,comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of gaming devices;providing a plurality of multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices, eachmultipurpose EGM/player tracking device being coupled to a correspondinggaming device for providing gaming related services to the correspondinggaming device, each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device adapted tocommunicate with the corresponding gaming device using a plurality ofEGM communications protocols; and, for each gaming device: determining,by a corresponding multipurpose EGM/player tracking device, an EGMcommunications protocol associated with the gaming device; andtransmitting data indicative of the gaming related services from thecorresponding multipurpose EGM/player tracking device to the gamingdevice using the determined EGM communications protocol.
 18. A method inaccordance with claim 17, further comprising the steps of: providing aserver computer being coupled to each of the multipurpose EGM/playertracking devices; and transmitting data indicative of the gaming relatedservices between each of the multipurpose EGM/player tracking devicesand the server computer using a system communications protocol that isdifferent from each of the plurality of EGM communications protocols.19. A method in accordance with claim 18, further comprising the step ofproviding a plurality of middleware servers being coupled to the servercomputer, each of the plurality of middleware servers adapted to becoupled to at least one multipurpose EGM/player tracking device forproviding gaming services from the server computer to the at least onemultipurpose EGM/player tracking device.
 20. A method in accordance withclaim 19, further comprising the steps of: assigning a unique identifierassociated with each multipurpose EGM/player tracking device;generating, by the server computer, a first table associated with afirst middleware server and a second table associated with a secondmiddleware server, the unique identifier of the at least onemultipurpose EGM/player tracking device being stored within one of thefirst and second tables; allowing the at least one multipurposeEGM/player tracking device and the corresponding gaming device to bedisconnected from the first middleware server and to be connected to thesecond middleware server; and responsively transferring thecorresponding unique identifier from the one of the first and secondtables to the other table.